March Editorial

By Marcia Allass
March 1, 2006

I had an editorial all written up, but then I caught the news yesterday that Speakeasy had ceased publishing comics for the forseeable future.

Speakeasy was founded in 2004 by Canadian Adam Fortier, who had previously worked at IDW, Devil's Due and Dreamwave, among others. A partnership with Ardustry Entertainment gave them the air of stability, despite relatively low sales of their company-owned debut books such as Grimoire and Beowulf. Their potential strength, however, seemed to lie in being able to attract established creators with existing properties looking to publish collections or new editions. Previously the only real venue for this kind of creator-owned material had been Image, and with Speakeasy now providing an alternative choice, it seemed that this would be a lucrative avenue for them as publishers.

Indeed, through 2005, they did publish a number of such works including Mike Sangiacomo's Phantom Jack, along with some original graphic novels. However, towards the end of that year rumours started to circulate about unpaid creators, and titles began to be cancelled. Combined with a few high profile moves from Speakeasy to Image by creators such as Sal Cipriano, these rumours ensured that tongues started wagging in earnest.

On February 27th it seemed that the tongue-waggers were correct, as Fortier announced that he was ceasing publication. On the bright side the company has not been folded and he is not declaring bankruptcy, so there is a good chance that bills will be paid, remaining printed comics will ship and a slim chance that publication may recommence.

In the mean time we are all left pondering again whether a new publisher can start up and survive at this point in the cycle of the comics industry, or whether Speakeasy were yet another victim of the "too much too soon" mentality that has seemed to plague new comic book publishers over the past decade. Perhaps it will take a publisher with a much tighter ship, a clear marketing policy and a clearly defined line of books to succeed where others have failed.

I can only hope that any creators who were hoping to see their comics published at Speakeasy in 2006 find alternative venues for their work.

You can read all about the announcement from Speakeasy at The Pulse.

March's exclusive cover is by 13 Questions interviewee Eric Powell (The Goon).

In Features, we have interviews with Laura Martin (Astonishing X-Men), Max Estes (Coffee and Donuts), and Zorikh Lequidre.

March's articles include a pro-roundtable in which comic book creators answer Jennifer Contino's question about favourite comics from their early years. Alice Doyle takes a close look at Andy Diggle and Jock's The Losers, while Corrina Lawson re-examines Batman: Year One. Part 59 of Pam Bliss'guide to making comics — Hopelessly Lost, But Making Good Time — examines the role and use of humour in comic books. Plus, Katherine Keller and Adrienne Rappaport report from this year's Wondercon.

In Culture Vultures, Wolfen Moondaughter interviews author Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn), and Tori Morris reports from a recent reading he gave in Illinois.

Rant Of The Month features Leigh Dragoon on the subject of male character abuse in fanfic. In her regular column COMM-ically Speaking, Deanna Lytle looks at the downfall of the character of Trinity in The Matrix. Tart Time Machine sneaks a giggle at '80s fashion disasters, and Rebecca Salek asks the Tarts what they like about the Underworld movies. Plus, Wolfen Moondaughter continues her in-depth look at Sakura Wars and Patti Martinson takes a look back at Season Three of Nip/Tuck.

March's Report Card has reviews of anime, manga, books, magazines, comics, DVDs,videos, games, graphic novels, movies, music, television and web comics.

In Columns we have 13 Questions with this month's cover artist Eric Powell (The Goon). Rebecca Salek's All Access finds out what librarians rate as the best all-ages graphic novels. Fantastic Firsts has an in-depth look at all-ages comic Fashion Kitty. Bruce Chrislip is March's Redirected Male who brings us an interview with reknowned cartoonist Carol Tyler. Read This Or Die once again takes on the guise of Tart Tastes, and this month looks at what the Tarts choose as their "comfort comics". In Tart To Heart Tarts tell us of their secret comics shames. Plus your letters answered in Going Postal.

Marcia Allass
Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2006